MOTORISTS could leave their vehicles bobbing on the Mersey if a new idea to solve a parking dispute becomes reality.

A floating car park moored on the city's waterfront has been suggested as the solution to a row over parking provision that has threatened the multi-million pound Kings Dock arena plans.

Ian Meadows, chairman of Liverpool's chamber of commerce and industry, thought up the idea after seeing a Swedish version on a trip to Gothenburg.

He is now calling on city leaders to investigate whether a floating car park, or even several along the waterfront, is a possibility.

Mr Meadows said: "It is definitely worth a feasibility study.

"Most of the people who park at Kings Dock at the moment are visiting Albert Dock or going into the city centre, so it would need to be in that area. There could be one or a series of them moored along the waterfront.

Last week, plans for an arena, conference centre, two hotels and dozens of apartments at Kings Dock - currently used as a 5,000-capacity car park - were given the go-ahead by councillors.

But a row broke out between the site's owners English Partnerships and neighbouring Albert Dock over a legal agreement which states adequate parking must be provided for visitors to the tourist attraction.

Mr Meadows believes the dispute must not be allowed to scupper the Kings Dock development.

He added: "We must not let an issue like parking stop such an important scheme for Liverpool."

Liverpool council leader Mike Storey said: " This idea was first raised when Everton FC wanted to build a new stadium at Kings Dock.

"We will look at any possible way to increase parking capacity, but there is not as much of a problem as people make out with parking.

A spokeswoman for English Partnerships said: "There has beena bit of a debate with regards to car parking spaces.

"We believe that there will be enough adequate parking in the plans already proposed to meet all the necessary requirements."